Republican Wayne Williams, left, with his wife Holly and other family members, takes the oath of office in January as Colorado’s next secretary of state from Supreme Court Justice Nancy E. Rice, right. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
What’s going on with Secretary of State Wayne Williams? He makes news — and it’s because he’s representing Colorado at a naval ceremony Saturday in Rhode Island?
Williams, the former El Paso County clerk and recorder, took office in January, succeeding fellow Republican Scott Gessler, who during his tenure. Gessler for some of the unflattering stories.
Williams laughed when told — facetiously, of course — that so far he was a disappointment because he hadn’t created any controversy.
Williams will be attending a keel laying ceremony for the USS Colorado at the Quonset Point Facility in North Kingstown, R.I. A keel laying ceremony marks the official start of construction on a new ship.
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“It is a great honor to represent our state at the keel laying ceremony of the USS Colorado.” Williams said, in a news release. “Coloradans are very proud of their state. Itap a place where people act boldly and achieve greatly. Itap exciting to know that Colorado’s name and our values will be carried around the world by such a magnificent submarine.”
When complete, the USS Colorado will be a high-tech attack submarine. It is the third Navy ship to bear the name Colorado, according to Williams’ office. The first was an armored cruiser commissioned in 1905. During World War I, the vessel was renamed the Pueblo and used to transport soldiers and materials to England. The second USS Colorado was a battleship that took part in the invasion of Tarawa during World War II.
As Colorado secretary of state, Williams provided authority for the Navy to use the state seal as part of the keel laying ceremony.
